Hi.

Jul 24 On the Street: Top Knots

According to some Buddhist traditions the topknot is a symbol of wisdom or enlightenment, called an ushnisha. Male samurai in Japan wore topknots emblematic of their social status. The topknot was only worn by royalty in Hindu society. In Sikhism, hair is allowed to grow naturally as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God’s creation and tied into a simple knot known as a Joora or Rishi. Southwest Chinese topknots are immortalized in Qin Shi Huang’s terracotta soldiers. Dacians leaders and priests were easily distinguished by their so-called Phrygian cap, shaped to accommodate hair knots beneath.

Who knew the topknot was so much more than a way to get hair up and away from the face? Maybe these New Yorkers do on some level...